No, we are not the Duggers...

Yes, we get that a lot. "You guys are like the Duggers!" Maybe because the number of children in the family is in the double digits. Unlike the Duggers, however, the names of the children of the Murray's all begin with different letters and are after a specific Saint and patron of the family. Similar to the Duggers each of us have responsibilities around the house and needs to help and care for the siblings. We parents need their help, and the siblings are the best prepared to provide the love, care and support because they share a home with them. I have seen how the the Duggers respect and care for each other and I do hope my family is as loving to their siblings and to others as the Duggers, even when the camera is off.
We have all learned, as a result of sharing everything in this large family to put someone else first. Maybe it was Claire who is ill, suffering in pain often, and away from home in the hospital or at doctors appt.'s. Or, Stephen who is autistic and needs special direction and patience. Maybe it is Fulton who is only 3 yrs. old and needs extra attention or John Mary who is only 4 mo's old and needs special care. It most likely is Michael whose high maintenance at 5 yrs. old puts his other siblings to shame. Maybe it is Matthew now almost 21 yrs. old and beginning his own life and leaving home, or Sheila who is 17 yrs. old and beginning to discern her own vocation with plenty of examples of a holy vocation in family friends. Maybe it is Kieran, Thomas and Joseph who need help getting to Kenpo or Boys Scouts or their other activities.
We all learn to sacrifice our needs for the greater good of the family. If we did not work together as a team, as one group serving God and each other; if we lived separate lives and as separate entities we would implode and we would not be better individuals for it. Therefore it is in a large family that we learn to love, to give, and to serve.
What better preparation and training in life?!